Tacking Up For Trail Work

Confident Rider Challenge Day 20

I cannot believe we are at day 20! The time is flying by in this challenge. How are you doing? Are you feeling more confident? I hope so! I know I am. I think a lot of my confidence level increasing now is because of Frisby. He is such a good boy. He can be stubborn and pushy at times. But overall this horse is just so incredible.

One day I hope to be able to say that about Ethan. I am sure it will happen, eventually.

But for this part of the challenge, I will be using Frisby as my confidence building horse. I have not dedicated the time to him that I have to Ethan. But that’s what is so awesome about Frisby, he just goes with it. I wish all horses could be like him!

But enough about me, lets get to work in our challenge!

Tacking Up For Trail Work

Today is going to be spent out of the normal area where you work with your horse. You don’t have to go on a trail, or off of your property, just plan on working someplace different than you normally do. And you will want to tack your horse up for this training session. So spend some time grooming, and get your horse dressed in everything you would normally use for schooling, except his bridle. Keep him in his halter, and plan on using your 15 foot lead rope.

The idea behind today’s work is to get you and your horse in the habit of tacking up. He needs to stand quietly for grooming, and getting saddled. And don’t rush. Take your time, and tack him up with purpose. If he starts moving around or getting antsy, take him away from the hitching post, and make him work for a little bit. When he is tired, bring him back and tie him up again.

If you have to do this, it may take a couple of sessions of going to work before he starts to associate the hitching post with rest. But don’t worry, he’ll get it eventually.

Going Off Property

Once your horse is tacked up (except his bridle) it’s time to get to work. You will want to bring your stick and string or lunge whip with you as well. Then, go to wherever it is you will be working, and just walk him around.

Pay attention to how he is acting. Is he nervous? Is his head held high, ears pricked forward? Or is he just hanging out with his back leg cocked? Training yourself to paying attention to how your horse reacts when he is nervous, versus when he is calm is something we all need to notice. Accidents happen when we aren’t paying attention. So take the time to watch how your horse reacts when he goes somewhere new.

The first time in a different spot, he might be a little more on guard. Remember, he is a flight animal. And his first instinct is going to high tail it out of the way of danger. So pay attention.

Time To Work

After a few minutes and he settles in to his new surroundings, it’s time to get to work. Everything you have been working on in the safety and familiarity of his arena, you will do now. Spend some time walking with him, and asking him to whoa. Back him up, and have him bend. Lead him around a little bit ,and then give him a rest.

When he is quiet with those tasks, then you can work on some lunging.

We want our horses to be calm and quiet, no matter what we present them with. So if he is nervous, refocus his attention on work. After a few minutes of working, he should calm down and be ready to venture even further away from home. And as always, be sure to end your training on a happy note.

Daily Challenge

Your challenge for today is to spend some time working off your property. Or, at least in a different area that your horse isn’t used too. I am confident that your confidence level will increase after you are able to do this successfully.

And if you aren’t successful after the first outing, try to do it again. You will find that the more you do it, the better your horse will be and the more confident you will be.

So get to work, and be sure to come back tomorrow for another challenge! I think you will like it, we will be back in the confines of the arena, and working with ground poles! If you have some ground poles, get them ready to use tomorrow, the more the better!